Golcar dent Elland's unbeaten home record

Veterans League

A review of the results of matches played in the veterans 10-Man League on Tuesday 7 June

The top four teams in Division 1 all had away fixtures this week and two won them and two lost. The most eye-catching result being the 5-4 win for leaders Golcar Lib 'A' at previously unbeaten at home Elland C&BC 'A'. The 128-126 aggregate advantage being key in delivering that scoreline and providing a 5-point cushion lead for the winners although having played a match more than all their rivals to date. Lockwood Con 'A' were the other top four winners as, as expected, they overcame bottom of the table Lindley BC 'A' with a 7-2 scoreline.

Previous leaders Marsh United 'A' and Kirkheaton Con 'A' both suffered defeats but remain very much in the title mix with Rastrick's 6-3 win over the Kirkheaton side propelling them into the top four at Marsh United's expense who went down 2-7 at Cowcliffe. Longwood's second win of the season lifted them 9-points clear of the drop zone and Waterloo's 6-3 home win over Clayton West kept them in the top half of the table.

A previous plea by teams and on these pages for the Management Committee to make a statement of intent about the number of teams to be relegated from Division 1 at the end of the season appears not to have created any disturbance to their agenda. With Crosland Moor's late withdrawal from the League leaving the division one short of their full complement the option to relegate one or two teams remains hanging in the air and teams not knowing what the targets are for those involved in the relegation issues.

Big wins for the top two in Division 2 means no change in positions but the gap between Milnsbridge 'A' and Almondbury BC 'A' is now down to 'Aggregate For' scrutiny as they go level on points won. A whitewash 9-0 home win for the Almondbury side over Hemplow 'A' was almost matched by Milnsbridge with an 8-1 away win at bottom of the table Brockholes 'A'.

There were two more big wins in the division with Netherton Con 'A' beating Thongsbridge 'A' 8-1 and moving into third place vacated by Bradley & Colne surprisingly going down 4-5 at Lockwood Con 'B'. Another big scoreline as Lowerhouses also enjoyed a productive Tuesday beating Broad Oak 'A' by 8-1 but remain fifth.

Slaithwaite's home form continues to let them down with a 4th defeat in 5 home matches as New Mill 'A' beat them 6-3 and overtook them in the table at the same time. Thorpe Green continue to disappoint with their latest loss being at mid-table Shepley by 2-7.

The top six teams were all playing bottom half opponents in Division 3 with only two of those six winning their matches. Two big surprises as the bottom two teams in the table both won against top half opponents and each recording only their second wins of the season. Bottom of the table Marsh United 'B' beat Paddock I&C 6-3 whilst fellow relegation-threatened Springwood created the biggest shock of the day winning 7-2 away at second in the table Golcar Lib 'B'.

Almondbury Lib and Skel Windmill both lost and are dragged into the relation fight as Lindley Lib 'B' and Kirkheaton C&BC 'A' leapfrog them both with the Lindley side moving up three places to 7th after a great 8-1 home win over 5th placed Huddersfield Recreation Club. Kirkheaton C&BC 'A's 6-3 home win over Denby Dale was also a surprise although the Denby team hang on to third place as Linthwaite Hall shoot up two places to second after smashing Almondbury Lib's unbeaten home record with an 8-1 away success. Serenely motoring on their way at the top are Holmfirth 'A' who extended their lead to three points after a 7-2 home win over Skel Windmill.

The top two in Division 4 both won this week and retain their positions although leaders Ravensknowle Park will have been disappointed not to take more than the 6 points they gained from relegation threatened Almondbury BC 'B'. Second-placed Lindley BC 'B' had a good away win at Outlane and Primrose Hill Lib stopped Elland C&BC 'A's charge to the promotion places when beating them 6-3. The Elland side slip to sixth place but having a match in hand and only 5 points off a promotion place remain strong contenders.

Well done to Brockholes 'B' for collecting their first win of the season when they won 7-2 at New Mill 'B' although that outcome sees both teams remain in the bottom three with only 4 points between them and plenty to fight for. The Rugby Club move up two places to fourth after their 6-3 away win at Thongsbridge 'B' and Milnsbridge 'B' damaged Meltham 'B's promotion hopes with a 7-2 home win but remain in the bottom half of the table themselves.

The top three teams in Division 5 were all playing at home this week and all won by the same 7-2 scoreline to retain the running order. Leaders Dalton beat Kirkheaton C&BC 'B', Kirkheaton Con 'B' overcame Netherton Con 'B' and unbeaten Marsh Lib extended their run to six matches when beating bottom of the table Holmfirth 'B'. A good 6-3 home win for Hemplow 'B' over Greenhead Park resulted in a one place climb up the table and David Brown Sport's 7-2 away win at Broad Oak 'B' was as welcome as it was unexpected.